Many National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are facing new, more complex and evolving challenges when working in sensitive and insecure contexts. These situations require additional actions to be taken by National Societies both in advance and during a response in order to increase their acceptance, security and access to those affected.

The Safer Access Framework is used by National Societies to guide them in determining which context-specific actions to take in order to overcome these challenges. During the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, National Society leaders explained what Safer Access means to them and the people they serve. While they spoke, an artist drew their words on paper.

Some National Societies are prevented by weapon bearers from providing humanitarian services, or are hindered or harassed when they do. Others have suffered recurrent attacks against their personnel, facilities and equipment. As a result, the people who need it most may be deprived of assistance or even suffer direct harm.

These concerns prompted National Societies, working closely with the ICRC, to seek ways to increase their acceptance, security and access to people and communities in need. The result is the Safer Access Framework, first developed in 2003 and recently updated based on the experiences of over fifty National Societies. It contains a set of preparedness actions and acceptance measures, grounded in the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other Movement policies, that a National Society can take when preparing for and responding in sensitive and insecure contexts.

There is no guarantee of complete safety or security when providing humanitarian assistance and protection in sensitive and insecure contexts. However, by applying the Safer Access Framework in a structured manner, according to context-specific priorities and complemented by a consistent application of the Fundamental Principles and a solid operational security risk management approach, National Societies have found they are able to reduce their exposure to risk and increase their acceptance, security and access to people and communities in need.

The products, shared experiences and tools available on this website have been created with and for all National Societies seeking to improve the way they conduct their humanitarian activities in sensitive and insecure contexts and to prepare for and respond to needs in challenging circumstances. They represent opportunities for National Societies to continue to share their knowledge and experiences with each other in this crucial endeavor.